Re: [Paddlewise] RE:Rudder

Frank,
    Please forgive my having pulled these phrases out of your original 
message.

In a message dated 9/26/01 9:25:04 PM, yakers_at_earthlink.net writes:

(snip)
<< I am NOT an expert paddler and it is rather unlikely I will have the time 
and opportunity to become (&remain) one. I am certain that a fair number of 
experts are on this list but there just are not that many as a percentage of 
the paddling population.
(snip)
<< . . .  if a rudder helps some people some of the time what is the problem? 
I agree a person should be able to paddle without one but . . . >>
(snip)
<< So except for agreeing that a person should be skilled enough to paddle 
without one, IMHO if you want one-go ahead-if you don't-thats fine too. As 
someone from LA let me just say"Why can't we all get along?" >>

    You are exactly right. Few on this list, or around the world, are 
actually expert paddlers. No doubt there are some experts on this list but 
not nearly as many as it may sound from time to time. There is however no 
shortage of folk willing to address this issue time and time again.
    This is actually an advanced paddler's argument in that advaced paddlers 
that want to be experts care about this issue. For one to become an advanced 
paddler, many think that they must learn to control the boat without and 
external devices. I an NOT an expert either but I do subsribe to this 
thinking that to become an advanced paddler I must learn to handle my boat in 
all conditions without any devices.
    In closing, I agree. It would be great if everyone could learn to handle 
a boat without a skeg or rudder. But in the final analysis each paddler with 
use what they think is required. I enjoy the discussion even though I know it 
will never be resolved. Use what you want and let the folks that want to 
disccuss the finer points do so knowing that their issues have little effect 
on the great majority of average paddlers.

Have fun,
Jed



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